Nottingham Forest have sought clarification from UEFA regarding Crystal Palace’s Europa League qualification.
Crystal Palace’s European Qualification Under UEFA Scrutiny
Crystal Palace’s historic FA Cup victory secured their first-ever European qualification, but UEFA must now determine if they’ve breached multi-club ownership rules. The decision hinges on American investor John Textor, whose Eagle Football group holds a 43% stake in Palace and a 77% controlling interest in Lyon—both set to compete in next season’s Europa League.
UEFA regulations prohibit any individual or entity from holding decisive influence over multiple clubs in the same European competition. Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh and stand to benefit if Palace are excluded, have formally raised concerns with UEFA.
Palace maintain their European qualification was achieved independently, emphasizing no operational ties with Lyon—no shared staff, strategies, or resources. Meanwhile, Forest avoided similar conflicts after owner Evangelos Marinakis reduced his stake to comply with UEFA’s revised ownership assessment deadline of 1 March.
With Europa League qualifying rounds beginning in July, UEFA’s ruling could reshape England’s European entrants. Neither UEFA nor Palace provided comment when contacted by BBC Sport.
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